Patient Care at Risk, Versiti Blood Center of
Michigan Issues Plea for Donors
GRAND
RAPIDS, Mich., July 8, 2024
/PRNewswire/ -- Versiti Blood Center of Michigan has issued an emergency appeal for
blood donations due to a dangerously low blood supply. Certain
blood types have less than a day's worth of availability,
endangering the lives of local patients. Summer donations have
dropped drastically, reaching a critical low. Last week, Versiti
recorded its lowest donation count of the year. To meet the needs
of hospitals and ensure they have enough blood for patients, 4,000
donors are urgently needed in the next seven days.
All blood types are needed, with O-positive and O-negative being
the most in demand. O-positive is the most common blood type, while
O-negative blood is the universal type that can be safely received
by all patients in emergencies when the blood type is unknown.
"We know summer is a challenging time for blood donation, and we
plan for it every year, but what we see today is dire," said Dr.
Dan Waxman, vice president of
transfusion medicine and senior medical director at Versiti.
"Patients' lives are at risk. If you are healthy and able, we are
pleading with you to donate blood this week."
In addition to unfilled appointments and a rise in cancellations
and no-shows, Versiti's partner hospitals have required a
significant volume of blood this past month to support organ
transplant procedures and other traumas.
"The demand for blood simply does not match the number of donors
coming through our doors," added Waxman. "While we deeply
appreciate our loyal donors who consistently show up, it's
important to recognize that about 3 percent of people who are
eligible to donate blood actually do. If it's been a while since
your last donation or you're a first-time donor, we are excited to
welcome you."
What happens if blood is not available for patients?
- When the local blood inventory gets as low as it is now, it
jeopardizes the health and safety of patients who rely on
life-saving blood transfusions. In some cases, hospitals are forced
to postpone surgeries or delay critical treatments.
- Trauma victims from car accidents or shootings are at the
highest risk, as their survival often depends on a healthy blood
inventory. If these types of cases occur in the coming days, we
might not have the blood needed to keep them alive.
- Patients undergoing organ transplants and battling cancer, and
even mothers in labor, could face treatment delays or complications
due to a limited blood supply.
To schedule an appointment to donate blood, call (866) 642-5663
or visit versiti.org. Walk-in donors are also welcome.
Donor center locations:
- Farmington Hills - 29305
Orchard Lake Rd.
- Grand Rapids - 1036 Fuller
NE
- Grandville - 3140 Wilson
SW
- St. Joseph - 2710 Cleveland
Ave.
- Kalamazoo Area - 524 East
Milham Ave.
- Saginaw - 1771 Tittabawassee
Rd.
- Bay City Donor Center - 1017 North Johnson St.
- Midland Dow Diamond - 825 East Main St.
- Traverse City - 2575 Aero Park
Dr.
- Gaylord - 133 W. Main St. Suite 101
Donating blood takes about an hour. Anyone aged 16 or older who
is in good health and meets eligibility requirements is encouraged
to give. Parental consent is required for donors aged 16 to donate
blood. Donors should bring a photo ID that includes their birth
date.
ABOUT VERSITI BLOOD CENTER OF MICHIGAN
Versiti Blood Center of
Michigan, formerly Michigan Blood,
has collected blood throughout the state since 1955. Headquartered
in Grand Rapids, the non-profit
organization provides blood products and services to 87 Michigan
hospitals. Versiti collects more than 143,000 units of blood each
year in Michigan at 10 donation
centers and through the operation of more than 4,700 community
blood drives throughout the state.
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SOURCE Versiti Blood Center of Michigan